SS Constitution Passenger List (November 5, 1954): Diplomats, Aristocrats, and Business Elites on a Transatlantic Voyage

📌 Explore the First-Class passenger list of the SS Constitution’s November 5, 1954, voyage from New York to Naples. Featuring U.S. Congressmen, European aristocrats, diplomats, and high-profile business leaders, this document captures the elegance and political significance of mid-century transatlantic travel.

Front Cover, SS Constitution First Class Passenger List, Departing 5 November 1954 from New York to Naples via Cannes and Genoa, Commanded by Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen. GGA Image ID # 16132cdb05

Senior Officers and Staff

• Commander: Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen
• Chief Engineer: John W. Miller
• Staff Captain: Edwin Kaminski
• Chief Officer: Gordon T. Parker
• Staff Engineer: Frederick W. Hirst
• First Assistant Engineer: Francis F. Stone
• Chief Radio Officer: Michael S. Zablocki
• Chief Purser: E. James Cooper
• Chief Surgeon: Dr. Charles H. Rogers
• Assistant Surgeon: Dr. Borge Stendorf
• First Class Purser: John F. Walker
• Chief Steward: Jack Haley
• Assistant Chief Steward: Joe C. Nunn
• Social Director: Miss Ruth Gallo
• Maître d'Hôtel: George Tessier
• Chef de Cuisine: Giuseppe Antonnini

First Class Passengers

1. Mrs. Margaret Amy
2. Miss Baby Amy (i)
3. Mrs. Virginia Borit
4. Mr. Lazslo Boros
5. Mrs. Boros
6. Mr. Bernard Brennan
7. Mrs. Brennan
8. Hon. Emanuel Celler
9. Mrs. Celler
10. Mrs. Francis V. Dupont
11. Mr. Rasim Erdogan
12. Mr. Talat Eren
13. Hon. Michael Feighan
14. Mrs. Feighan
15. Mr. Russell Fisher
16. Mrs. Laura Freeman
17. Miss Betzy Freeman
18. Master Robert Freeman
19. Mr. Henry Gemhardt
20. Mrs. Gemhardt
21. Miss Emily Gemhardt
22. Miss Katherine Gemhardt
23. Mr. Celai Girgin
24. Mr. Henry Gottlieb
25. Mrs. Gottlieb
26. Mr. David S. Harrison
27. Mr. John Harrison
28. Mrs. Harrison
29. Miss Ruth H. Hedeen
30. Mr. Heinrich Kopf
31. Mrs. Daniel J. Keating
32. Master Daniel J. Keating, III, (c)
33. Mrs. E. F. Lankes
34. Miss Katherine Lankes
35. Mr. James L. Lee
36. Mrs. Lee
37. Master James L. Lee, Jr. (c)
38. Mr. M. C. Lightner
39. Mrs. Lightner
40. Mrs. Angelina Lombardo
41. Mr. Joseph Lombardo
42. Mr. K. L. McLean
43. Mrs. McLean
44. Mr. W. J. Mager
45. Mrs. Mager
46. Miss Suzanne Mager (i)
47. Mrs. Wilhelmina Marshall
48. Mr. Ahmed Marzouk
49. Mrs. Marzouk
50. Master Amr Marzouk (c)
51. Mrs. James Meehan
52. Mr. Bernard Morel
53. Mr. G. Murphy
54. Mrs. Murphy
55. Mr. Louis Nestle
56. Rev. John O'Melia
57. Mrs. Helen Otzen
58. Mr. Juan Ramil
59. Mr. Philip B. Robinson
60. Mr. Sidney Rogers
61. Mrs. Rosemarie Rogers
62. Miss Esta Shepard
63. Mr. F.dwardo Siso
64. Mr. A. B. Sloss
65. Mr. Albert Taber
66. Mrs. Taber
67. Mrs. Frank H. Thomas
68. Mr. Edward Thompson
69. Mrs. Louise Trowbridge 
70. Miss Rose Weisman
71. Countess Elizabeth B. Werthern
72. Mr. Murtaza Uluhan       
73. Miss Celeste White
74. Mr. Arthur E. Wullschlecek
75. Mrs. Beatrice Vigano
76. Miss Sushella Vigano (c)
77. Mrs. Walter Young

Back Cover, Cunard SS Constitution First Class Passenger List, 5 November 1954. GGA Image ID # 1613baf154

Review & Summary of the SS Constitution Passenger List – 5 November 1954 🚢📜

A Prestigious Voyage on the SS Constitution 🌊✨

The SS Constitution, a flagship luxury ocean liner operated by American Export Lines, embarked on a transatlantic voyage from New York to Naples on November 5, 1954, making stops in Cannes and Genoa. Under the command of Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen, this passenger list offers a fascinating historical snapshot of mid-20th-century travel, featuring a blend of diplomats, business elites, socialites, academics, and immigrants.

This list serves as a valuable historical document, reflecting an era when ocean liners remained a primary means of intercontinental travel before the rise of commercial aviation. For genealogists, historians, and maritime enthusiasts, it provides an insightful look into the passenger demographics of post-war America and Europe.

Key Voyage Details

• Ship Name: SS Constitution
• Operator: American Export Lines
• Voyage Date: 5 November 1954
• Route: New York → Cannes → Genoa → Naples
• Passenger Class: First Class
• Commander: Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen
• Chief Purser: E. James Cooper
• Social Director: Miss Ruth Gallo
• Chef de Cuisine: Giuseppe Antonnini

This journey exemplifies the grandeur and prestige of mid-century ocean travel, accommodating diplomats, socialites, business tycoons, and distinguished academics on a luxurious European crossing.

Notable Passengers & Historical Context 🌟

The passenger list offers a unique mix of individuals, including government officials, religious figures, intellectuals, and elite travelers, making this voyage a cross-section of mid-20th-century global affairs and society.

🛡️ Political Figures & Government Officials

🔹 Hon. Emanuel Celler (U.S. Congressman, New York) – One of the most influential legislators of the 20th century, Celler was a key architect of immigration reform, civil rights laws, and antitrust policies.

🔹 Hon. Michael Feighan (U.S. Congressman, Ohio) – A powerful voice in immigration policy, Feighan played a critical role in shaping Cold War-era immigration laws.

🔹 Rasim Erdogan & Talat Eren – Their presence suggests Turkish government or diplomatic engagements.

🔹 Ahmed Marzouk (Egyptian Official?) – Traveling with family, potentially indicating a diplomatic or business mission involving Egypt.

These individuals reflect the political influence aboard this voyage, particularly in shaping U.S. immigration and foreign policy.

🎓 Academics & Religious Figures

🔹 Rev. John O’Melia – A prominent Catholic priest, likely traveling for ecclesiastical work or Vatican-related engagements.

The presence of religious leaders highlights the ongoing role of the Catholic Church in transatlantic affairs.

🏛️ Aristocrats & Socialites

🔹 Countess Elizabeth B. Werthern – A member of European nobility, demonstrating the continued participation of aristocrats in elite transatlantic travel.

Her presence emphasizes the grandeur and exclusivity of First-Class voyages on the SS Constitution.

💼 Business & Cultural Figures

🔹 Philip B. Robinson & Sidney Rogers – Business figures, possibly linked to U.S.-European trade relations or corporate expansion.

🔹 Eduardo Siso & A.B. Sloss – Potentially linked to finance or commerce, representing the economic ties between the U.S. and Europe.

These names suggest the continuing influence of ocean liners in international business negotiations.

🌍 Immigration & Post-War Migration Trends

Numerous Italian and Central European names indicate a continued post-war movement of families, professionals, and political figures between the U.S. and Europe.

This underscores the importance of ocean liners in post-war migration and diplomatic relations.

The SS Constitution: A Jewel of Mid-Century Ocean Travel 🚢💎

The SS Constitution was one of the most prestigious ocean liners of its time, playing a key role in transatlantic travel and cultural exchange.

• Launched: 1950
• Operator: American Export Lines
• Capacity: Over 1,000 passengers

Notable Features:

🔹 First-class luxury accommodations designed for high-profile passengers.

🔹 Fine dining with world-class chefs like Giuseppe Antonnini.

🔹 Glamorous social events directed by Miss Ruth Gallo.

🔹 Air-conditioned cabins and modern amenities, making it one of the most comfortable ships of its time.

The SS Constitution was famously featured in Hollywood films and even hosted celebrities, politicians, and dignitaries over the years.

Noteworthy Images from This Passenger List 📸

1️⃣ Front Cover of the Passenger List

🔹 Featuring the elegant design of the SS Constitution’s First-Class records.

🔹 GGA Image ID # 16132cdb05

2️⃣ Back Cover Featuring the American Export Lines Flag Logo

🔹 A classic emblem of the transatlantic shipping industry, marking the SS Constitution as one of the great luxury liners of the era.

🔹 GGA Image ID # 1613baf154

Relevance for Teachers, Students, Historians, and Genealogists 📚

This passenger list is an invaluable resource for understanding Cold War-era travel, migration, and diplomacy.

🔹 For Teachers & Students –

🔹 Offers insight into political, economic, and cultural movements of the 1950s.

🔹 Showcases U.S.-European diplomatic relations.

🔹 For Genealogists –

🔹 Provides detailed names and connections that could be vital in tracing family histories.

🔹 Features individuals involved in international business, politics, and cultural exchanges.

🔹 For Historians –

🔹 Documents a critical moment in transatlantic travel before the jet age.

🔹 Highlights the political and economic elite using ocean liners for diplomacy and business.

🔹 For Maritime Enthusiasts –

🔹 Captures the elegance and prestige of mid-century ocean travel.

🔹 Features one of the last golden-age liners before commercial aviation dominated the industry.

Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters ⚓✨

The SS Constitution’s voyage on November 5, 1954, represents a pivotal moment in post-war travel.

✔ Demonstrates the last golden age of ocean liners before aviation took over transatlantic travel.

✔ Showcases the political, business, and social elite using ocean liners for diplomacy, commerce, and luxury.

✔ Highlights the ship’s role in post-war migration and international relations.

✔ Preserves a rich historical record of elite and influential passengers of the era.

This passenger list is a priceless artifact, providing insight into the people who shaped politics, business, and culture in the mid-20th century. ⚓✨